Spanish farmers are preparing to converge on Madrid February 11 in a large-scale demonstration against the European Union-Mercosur trade agreement and broader economic pressures impacting the agricultural sector.Despite a recent parliamentary suspension of the deal-prompted by a 334-324 vote to refer it to the EU Court of Justice-producers plan to directly lobby policymakers with a “tractorcade” of over 1,500 tractors. Organized by the Union of Unions of farmers and Ranchers, the protest aims to highlight concerns over unfair competition, rising costs, and an aging workforce within Spain’s agricultural industry.
Farmers across Spain are planning a major demonstration in Madrid on February 11, protesting a recent trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, as well as concerns over agricultural subsidies. The planned “tractorcade” is expected to involve over 1,500 tractors and 8,000 farmers, highlighting growing discontent within the agricultural sector regarding international trade policies and financial support.
The protest comes despite a recent setback for the EU-Mercosur deal in the European Parliament, which last week suspended the treaty and referred it to the EU Court of Justice with a vote of 334 in favor and 324 against. Despite this parliamentary rejection, Spanish agricultural producers are determined to voice their opposition directly to policymakers.
The Union of Unions of Farmers and Ranchers organized a press conference to announce the planned demonstration and urge producers to participate. The organization argues the agreement, signed in Paraguay after 25 years of negotiations, will negatively impact Spanish farmers.
“It is important to maintain pressure, both in the streets and in the offices, to ensure that the opinion of the countryside is taken into account on issues that affect us,” stated Luis Cortés, state coordinator for the Union of Unions.
Organizers say the EU-Mercosur agreement is a central focus of their mobilization, but also express concerns about “other trade agreements in the pipeline that also affect the agricultural sector,” adding that farmers and ranchers “always end up paying the price” for broader political decisions.
The organization also cited rising production costs stemming from the war in Ukraine, a food chain law they claim is not being enforced, and a trend of declining profitability as factors driving the protest. They point to an aging agricultural workforce, with only 8.9% of workers under the age of 41.
Anastasio Yébenes, responsible for agricultural sectors within the organization, said they anticipate “the arrival of 1500 tractors” and estimate around 100 buses will transport protesters from key regions including Catalonia, Valencia, Castile and León, Extremadura, Madrid, Castile-La Mancha, and Andalusia.
The demonstration is scheduled to proceed from Plaza de Colón to the Ministry of Agriculture, where a rally will be held featuring representatives from various regional organizations. Tractors will converge on the capital from five separate routes: Torrejón de la Calzada and El Espinar, converging at Alonso Martínez; Guadalajara; and Robregordo, converging at the Puerta de Alcalá. Columns from Alonso Martínez and Puerta de Alcalá will join the main procession as it moves from Colón.
“The Union of Unions invites all organizations and platforms that wish to join the demonstration to do so in defense of the countryside,” organizers stated. The planned protest underscores the increasing challenges facing European farmers as they navigate shifting trade dynamics and economic pressures.
